Kristine Larson is a 33+ year veteran of the Los Angeles City Fire Department. Prior to joining the LAFD, Kris earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UCLA while achieving the distinction of becoming a three time All-American as a track and field athlete. She went on to graduate summa cum laude from Capella University with a master’s degree in public service leadership with an emphasis in Emergency Management. She has completed a DEI certification program through Cornell University and is participating in the International Association of Fire Chief’s Diversity Executive Leadership Program which aims to advance DEI within the fire service, with a cohort of members from around the Country.
Kristine has held various ranks within the LAFD consisting of Fire Inspector, and subsequently was the first African American woman to be promoted to the rank of Captain I, Captain II, Battalion Chief, Assistant Chief and Deputy Chief in the history of the LAFD.
Kristine has worked in both field and special duty assignments. As a Captain she was both a drill instructor and drill master at the fire academy. As a Chief Officer she has worked in the Firefighter Recruitment Section, the Fire Prevention Bureau and the Equity and Human Resources Bureau.
Kristine also serves the community as past President of Los Angeles Women in the Fire Service, and is vice president of the Board of Directors for Camp Blaze, a fire camp for young women held in Washington State.
Kris is also very involved in girls’ fire camps up and down the West Coast which provide leadership, team building and empowerment to young women in high school. The two-day camps are important ways to teach young women that their lives are limitless, they can overcome their fears and be whatever they want in life. These camps inspire young women, as well as serve as a way for the volunteers to meet other women firefighters to grow their own networks to assist with professional development.